In Week 7, we saw Tom Brady’s Patriots and Peyton Manning’s Colts continue their dominance, as the former stayed on pace to top the latter’s record for touchdown passes in a season. (Seriously? 27 touchdowns? In 7 games? Sheeesh). Wes Welker, Sage Rosenfels, and Kenny Watson all had big, multiple-touchdown days as well. I can’t say I would have predicted that at the start of the season (And I saw two of those guys – Rosenfels and Watson – play with my Redskins back in the day. That’s always fun to see…). Even kickers were well represented in fantasy box scores, as the Titans’ Rob Bironas nailed an NFL-record eight field goals in Tennessee’s thrilling win against Houston. The Cafe’s Week 8 Start & Sit is here to provide some analysis of Week 8’s matchups, after a crazy Week 7. And don’t forget: six more teams have byes this week, so leave all Ravens, Falcons, Cardinals, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Seahawks out of your starting lineup!
Our system is based on two separate rankings: Risk and Reward. Each player or defense was given a statistical ranking for each of the two categories.
Risk is determined by anything that could negatively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as matchup, situation, and injuries.
Reward is determined by anything that could positively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as talent, matchup, and situation.
The Ranking for the two categories is as follows:
Risk: Score of 0 being the lowest risk, 10 being the highest risk.
Reward: Score of 0 being lowest reward, 10 being the highest reward.
| Quarterbacks | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Tom Brady – NE | vs WAS | 16.5 | 2.9 | 9.4 |
| Peyton Manning – IND | at CAR | 16.1 | 2.7 | 8.8 |
| Ben Roethlisberger – PIT | at CIN | 14.8 | 3.0 | 7.8 |
| Derek Anderson – CLE | at STL | 14.2 | 3.2 | 7.5 |
| Eli Manning – NYG | at MIA | 13.6 | 3.9 | 7.5 |
| Donovan McNabb – PHI | at MIN | 13.4 | 3.4 | 6.8 |
| Brian Griese – CHI | vs DET | 13.3 | 3.5 | 6.9 |
| Jon Kitna – DET | at CHI | 13.2 | 4.0 | 7.2 |
| Jay Cutler – DEN | vs GB | 13.0 | 3.8 | 6.9 |
| Carson Palmer – CIN | vs PIT | 12.8 | 4.4 | 7.2 |
| Drew Brees – NO | at SF | 12.8 | 4.0 | 6.8 |
| Jeff Garcia – TB | vs JAC | 12.6 | 4.2 | 6.8 |
| Philip Rivers – SD | vs HOU | 12.1 | 4.0 | 6.1 |
| Trent Edwards – BUF | at NYJ | 12.0 | 4.1 | 6.0 |
| Brett Favre – GB | at DEN | 11.9 | 4.7 | 6.6 |
| Chad Pennington – NYJ | vs BUF | 11.5 | 4.6 | 6.0 |
| Daunte Culpepper – OAK | at TEN | 11.2 | 4.5 | 5.7 |
| Cleo Lemon – MIA | vs NYG | 10.6 | 5.0 | 5.6 |
| Vince Young – TEN | vs OAK | 10.1 | 5.5 | 5.7 |
| Sage Rosenfels – HOU | at SD | 10.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Jason Campbell – WAS | at NE | 9.9 | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Marc Bulger – STL | vs CLE | 9.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Alex Smith – SF | vs NO | 9.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 |
| Vinny Testaverde – CAR | vs IND | 9.1 | 5.9 | 5.0 |
| Matt Schaub – HOU | at SD | 9.1 | 5.6 | 4.6 |
| Kelly Holcomb – MIN | vs PHI | 7.6 | 6.1 | 3.7 |
| Kerry Collins – TEN | vs OAK | 7.2 | 6.8 | 4.0 |
| Quinn Gray – JAC | at TB | 7.0 | 6.6 | 3.5 |
| Gus Frerotte – STL | vs CLE | 6.5 | 6.7 | 3.3 |
Start:
Derek Anderson, CLE (14.2 rating): Anderson has been one of the league’s nicest fantasy surprises this season, with 14 touchdowns through his first six games. In his last game two weeks ago, Anderson threw three touchdowns with no interceptions against the Miami Dolphins. Now he is fresh off a bye week with a game against the NFL’s other winless team, the St. Louis Rams. The Rams’ defense is 27th in the league in points allowed. Derek Anderson should have another nice week, and continue prompting fans in Cleveland to ask: “Brady Quinn who?”
Sit:
Vince Young, TEN (10.1 rating): Has the Madden curse struck again? Vince Young has had a disappointing sophomore season thus far with only three touchdowns to six interceptions. He is going to start this week against a solid Oakland defense, but he will likely still be feeling the lingering effects of the quad injury he suffered against Tampa Bay. Give Young a week to see how he has recovered from his injury before inserting him back into your lineup.
| Running Backs | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| LaDainian Tomlinson – SD | vs HOU | 16.9 | 2.1 | 9.0 |
| Willie Parker – PIT | at CIN | 16.5 | 2.2 | 8.8 |
| Marshawn Lynch – BUF | at NYJ | 15.1 | 2.6 | 7.7 |
| Joseph Addai – IND | at CAR | 14.9 | 3.5 | 8.3 |
| Brandon Jacobs – NYG | at MIA | 14.5 | 3.1 | 7.6 |
| Reggie Bush – NO | at SF | 14.5 | 2.9 | 7.4 |
| Adrian Peterson – MIN | vs PHI | 14.3 | 3.8 | 8.0 |
| Thomas Jones – NYJ | vs BUF | 13.9 | 3.2 | 7.1 |
| Brian Westbrook – PHI | at MIN | 13.8 | 3.9 | 7.7 |
| Frank Gore – SF | vs NO | 13.7 | 3.8 | 7.5 |
| Travis Henry – DEN | vs GB | 13.5 | 3.5 | 7.0 |
| Steven Jackson – STL | vs CLE | 13.4 | 4.2 | 7.7 |
| Kevin Jones – DET | at CHI | 12.7 | 3.7 | 6.4 |
| LenDale White – TEN | vs OAK | 12.4 | 4.2 | 6.6 |
| Earnest Graham – TB | vs JAC | 12.3 | 4.1 | 6.4 |
| Cedric Benson – CHI | vs DET | 12.3 | 4.2 | 6.5 |
| Clinton Portis – WAS | at NE | 12.1 | 4.7 | 6.9 |
| Derrick Ward – NYG | at MIA | 12.0 | 4.0 | 5.9 |
| Kenton Keith – IND | at CAR | 11.8 | 4.5 | 6.2 |
| Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC | at TB | 11.6 | 5.1 | 6.7 |
| Brian Leonard – STL | vs CLE | 11.5 | 4.2 | 5.8 |
| Jason Wright – CLE | at STL | 11.5 | 4.9 | 6.3 |
| Kenny Watson – CIN | vs PIT | 11.4 | 4.9 | 6.2 |
| LaMont Jordan – OAK | at TEN | 11.4 | 5.4 | 6.8 |
| DeShawn Wynn – GB | at DEN | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Jamal Lewis – CLE | at STL | 11.3 | 5.2 | 6.5 |
| Laurence Maroney – NE | vs WAS | 11.0 | 4.9 | 5.9 |
| Najeh Davenport – PIT | at CIN | 10.9 | 4.4 | 5.3 |
| DeShaun Foster – CAR | vs IND | 10.9 | 4.7 | 5.5 |
| Jesse Chatman – MIA | vs NYG | 10.8 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Fred Taylor – JAC | at TB | 10.7 | 4.6 | 5.3 |
| DeAngelo Williams – CAR | vs IND | 10.6 | 4.9 | 5.4 |
| Selvin Young – DEN | vs GB | 10.2 | 5.3 | 5.5 |
| Chris Henry – TEN | vs OAK | 10.2 | 5.5 | 5.7 |
| Chester Taylor – MIN | vs PHI | 10.0 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Leon Washington – NYJ | vs BUF | 9.8 | 5.1 | 4.9 |
| Vernand Morency – GB | at DEN | 9.7 | 5.2 | 4.9 |
| Michael Turner – SD | vs HOU | 9.4 | 5.1 | 4.5 |
| Ahman Green – HOU | at SD | 9.4 | 5.4 | 4.8 |
| Kevin Faulk – NE | vs WAS | 9.3 | 5.4 | 4.8 |
| Reuben Droughns – NYG | at MIA | 9.2 | 4.6 | 3.9 |
| Brandon Jackson – GB | at DEN | 9.0 | 5.8 | 4.8 |
| Michael Bennett – TB | vs JAC | 9.0 | 5.9 | 4.9 |
| Aaron Stecker – NO | at SF | 9.0 | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| Adrian Peterson – CHI | vs DET | 8.9 | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Correll Buckhalter – PHI | at MIN | 8.3 | 6.0 | 4.3 |
| Anthony Thomas – BUF | at NYJ | 8.1 | 5.0 | 3.1 |
| Chris Brown – TEN | vs OAK | 8.0 | 6.1 | 4.1 |
| Justin Fargas – OAK | at TEN | 7.4 | 6.6 | 4.0 |
| Patrick Cobbs – MIA | vs NYG | 7.2 | 6.7 | 3.9 |
| Jerome Harrison – CLE | at STL | 7.1 | 6.3 | 3.4 |
| Rudi Johnson – CIN | vs PIT | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 |
| Tatum Bell – DET | at CHI | 6.8 | 6.4 | 3.1 |
| Ladell Betts – WAS | at NE | 6.7 | 7.0 | 3.7 |
| Greg Jones – JAC | at TB | 6.5 | 6.3 | 2.8 |
| Ron Dayne – HOU | at SD | 6.4 | 7.1 | 3.6 |
| Michael Robinson – SF | vs NO | 6.3 | 7.0 | 3.3 |
| TJ Duckett – DET | at CHI | 6.2 | 6.5 | 2.7 |
| Tony Hunt – PHI | at MIN | 4.9 | 7.6 | 2.5 |
Start:
Marshawn Lynch, BUF (15.1 rating): Lynch has had a nice rookie season, and has subsided any worries that he would not be the clear cut #1 RB. Lynch has had 20 or more carries in 4 straight games now. He has also had a touchdown in 4 of his 6 games. He has yet to top 100 yards, but he has a great chance to do just that this week against the New York Jets. The Jets are 27th in the NFL in rushing defense, at 138.0 yards per game.
Sit:
Laurence Maroney, NE (11.0 rating): Maroney has run well when he’s been on the field this year, but he just has not really gotten much of a chance to get on a roll, due to an injury he suffered early in the season. Then again, the Patriots have not really needed him, as they have been carried by Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and the passing game. The Redskins rushing defense is 5th in the league, so I expect that the Patriots will rely on the passing game once again, as Maroney continues to work back into form. He’s not a terrible start, but if you have other options I would certainly look into them.
| Wide Receivers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Braylon Edwards – CLE | at STL | 15.7 | 2.0 | 7.7 |
| Reggie Wayne – IND | at CAR | 15.4 | 3.0 | 8.4 |
| Plaxico Burress – NYG | at MIA | 15.4 | 3.2 | 8.6 |
| Laveranues Coles – NYJ | vs BUF | 15.3 | 2.9 | 8.1 |
| Randy Moss – NE | vs WAS | 15.1 | 3.4 | 8.6 |
| Kevin Curtis – PHI | at MIN | 15.1 | 3.0 | 8.1 |
| Chad Johnson – CIN | vs PIT | 14.8 | 3.7 | 8.5 |
| Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ | vs BUF | 14.7 | 3.1 | 7.8 |
| Torry Holt – STL | vs CLE | 14.6 | 3.6 | 8.2 |
| Wes Welker – NE | vs WAS | 14.5 | 3.8 | 8.3 |
| Lee Evans – BUF | at NYJ | 14.4 | 3.4 | 7.8 |
| Bernard Berrian – CHI | vs DET | 14.2 | 3.3 | 7.5 |
| Steve Smith – CAR | vs IND | 13.9 | 4.1 | 8.0 |
| Muhsin Muhammad – CHI | vs DET | 13.9 | 2.5 | 6.4 |
| Roy Williams – DET | at CHI | 13.8 | 3.1 | 6.9 |
| TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN | vs PIT | 13.8 | 3.3 | 7.0 |
| Kevin Walter – HOU | at SD | 13.7 | 3.8 | 7.5 |
| Santonio Holmes – PIT | at CIN | 13.1 | 3.9 | 7.0 |
| Amani Toomer – NYG | at MIA | 13.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 |
| Brandon Marshall – DEN | vs GB | 13.0 | 4.5 | 7.5 |
| Chris Chambers – SD | vs HOU | 12.9 | 3.5 | 6.3 |
| Ike Hilliard – TB | vs JAC | 12.6 | 4.4 | 7.0 |
| Brandon Stokely – DEN | vs GB | 12.5 | 4.0 | 6.6 |
| Donte Stallworth – NE | vs WAS | 12.4 | 4.0 | 6.4 |
| Calvin Johnson – DET | at CHI | 12.2 | 3.5 | 5.8 |
| Hines Ward – PIT | at CIN | 12.2 | 4.4 | 6.6 |
| Ronald Curry – OAK | at TEN | 12.1 | 3.8 | 5.9 |
| Marques Colston – NO | at SF | 12.0 | 4.6 | 6.6 |
| Jerry Porter – OAK | at TEN | 12.0 | 4.3 | 6.4 |
| Marvin Harrison – IND | at CAR | 12.0 | 4.5 | 6.4 |
| Darrell Jackson – SF | vs NO | 11.8 | 4.4 | 6.2 |
| Joe Jurevicius – CLE | at STL | 11.6 | 3.3 | 4.9 |
| Andre Davis – HOU | at SD | 11.4 | 4.6 | 6.0 |
| Mike Furrey – DET | at CHI | 11.2 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Greg Jennings – GB | at DEN | 11.2 | 5.1 | 6.3 |
| Reggie Brown – PHI | at MIN | 11.1 | 4.4 | 5.5 |
| Marty Booker – MIA | vs NYG | 11.1 | 5.3 | 6.4 |
| Donald Driver – GB | at DEN | 11.1 | 5.4 | 6.5 |
| Joey Galloway – TB | vs JAC | 11.0 | 5.1 | 6.2 |
| Shaun McDonald – DET | at CHI | 11.0 | 3.7 | 4.7 |
| Arnaz Battle – SF | vs NO | 10.9 | 4.5 | 5.4 |
| Vincent Jackson – SD | vs HOU | 10.9 | 5.1 | 6.0 |
| Troy Williamson – MIN | vs PHI | 10.6 | 5.5 | 6.1 |
| Andre Johnson – HOU | at SD | 10.5 | 5.4 | 5.9 |
| Dennis Northcutt – JAC | at TB | 10.2 | 4.7 | 5.0 |
| David Patten – NO | at SF | 10.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Roydell Williams – TEN | vs OAK | 9.9 | 5.5 | 5.4 |
| Jacoby Jones – HOU | at SD | 9.8 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Roscoe Parrish – BUF | at NYJ | 9.7 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Lance Moore – NO | at SF | 9.7 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Devin Hester – CHI | vs DET | 9.5 | 5.1 | 4.6 |
| Nate Washington – PIT | at CIN | 9.4 | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Santana Moss – WAS | at NE | 9.4 | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| Devery Henderson – NO | at SF | 9.3 | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Antwaan Randle El – WAS | at NE | 9.3 | 5.4 | 4.7 |
| Derek Hagan – MIA | vs NYG | 9.2 | 5.3 | 4.5 |
| Malcolm Floyd – SD | vs HOU | 9.2 | 4.9 | 4.0 |
| Ernest Wilford – JAC | at TB | 9.0 | 5.6 | 4.6 |
| Anthony Gonzalez – IND | at CAR | 8.9 | 5.5 | 4.4 |
| Ted Ginn – MIA | vs NYG | 8.9 | 5.8 | 4.7 |
| Reggie Williams – JAC | at TB | 8.5 | 6.2 | 4.8 |
| Tim Carter – CLE | at STL | 8.3 | 4.8 | 3.1 |
| Buster Davis – SD | vs HOU | 8.0 | 5.2 | 3.3 |
| James Jones – GB | at DEN | 8.0 | 5.8 | 3.9 |
| Rashied Davis – CHI | vs DET | 7.7 | 5.0 | 2.8 |
| Cedrick Wilson – PIT | at CIN | 7.7 | 6.0 | 3.7 |
| Steve Smith – NYG | at MIA | 7.6 | 6.1 | 3.7 |
| Drew Carter – CAR | vs IND | 7.6 | 5.8 | 3.3 |
| Eric Moulds – TEN | vs OAK | 7.5 | 6.5 | 4.0 |
| Michael Clayton – TB | vs JAC | 7.3 | 6.7 | 4.0 |
| Jabar Gaffney – NE | vs WAS | 7.1 | 6.6 | 3.7 |
| Terrance Copper – NO | at SF | 7.1 | 6.6 | 3.7 |
| Sam Aiken – BUF | at NYJ | 7.0 | 5.7 | 2.8 |
| Drew Bennett – STL | vs CLE | 7.0 | 6.3 | 3.3 |
| Isaac Bruce – STL | vs CLE | 6.8 | 6.2 | 3.0 |
| Bobby Wade – MIN | vs PHI | 6.8 | 7.1 | 3.9 |
| Sidney Rice – MIN | vs PHI | 6.7 | 7.1 | 3.8 |
| James Thrash – WAS | at NE | 5.9 | 6.6 | 2.5 |
| Antonio Chatman – CIN | vs PIT | 5.9 | 6.7 | 2.6 |
| Brandon Lloyd – WAS | at NE | 5.5 | 6.8 | 2.3 |
| Brandon Jones – TEN | vs OAK | 5.3 | 7.2 | 2.5 |
| Dwayne Jarrett – CAR | vs IND | 5.3 | 7.8 | 3.1 |
| Matt Jones – JAC | at TB | 4.8 | 6.8 | 1.6 |
| Javon Walker – DEN | vs GB | 3.8 | 7.0 | 0.8 |
Start:
Kevin Curtis, PHI (15.1 rating): Kevin Curtis burst onto the scene is Week 3 when he caught 11 passes for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has certainly cooled off that pace since then, but he’s still being looked at consistently by Donovan McNabb. He has five catches in each of his last two games. Minnesota’s passing defense has been really bad this season, ranking last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. On the turf in Minneapolis, I expect the Eagles will let McNabb air it out. I would not be surprised to see him hook up with Curtis on a couple deep passes.
Sit:
Joey Galloway, TB (11.0 rating): The 35-year-old Galloway is still going strong for the Buccaneers, but this week he does not have the best of matchups. Galloway will have to contend with a Jaguar defense that has allowed only four passing touchdowns all year, fewest in the NFL. More specifically, he will be matched up with the Jags’ top corner, Rashean Mathis. If you have other options at wide receiver this might be a good week to use them.
| Tight Ends | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Dallas Clark – IND | at CAR | 15.4 | 3.0 | 8.4 |
| Antonio Gates – SD | vs HOU | 15.2 | 2.9 | 8.1 |
| Kellen Winslow – CLE | at STL | 15.0 | 2.6 | 7.6 |
| Heath Miller – PIT | at CIN | 14.6 | 3.3 | 7.9 |
| Jeremy Shockey – NYG | at MIA | 14.6 | 3.4 | 8.0 |
| Greg Olsen – CHI | vs DET | 13.2 | 3.2 | 6.5 |
| Desmond Clark – CHI | vs DET | 13.1 | 3.2 | 6.3 |
| Chris Cooley – WAS | at NE | 12.5 | 4.6 | 7.0 |
| Chris Baker – NYJ | vs BUF | 12.4 | 3.7 | 6.0 |
| Eric Johnson – NO | at SF | 11.9 | 4.2 | 6.1 |
| Ben Watson – NE | vs WAS | 11.9 | 4.9 | 6.8 |
| Tony Scheffler – DEN | vs GB | 11.5 | 4.4 | 5.8 |
| Randy McMichael – STL | vs CLE | 11.3 | 4.5 | 5.8 |
| Owen Daniels – HOU | at SD | 11.2 | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Zach Miller – OAK | at TEN | 11.2 | 3.7 | 4.9 |
| Vernon Davis – SF | vs NO | 11.1 | 4.7 | 5.8 |
| Donald Lee – GB | at DEN | 11.0 | 5.1 | 6.1 |
| Daniel Graham – DEN | vs GB | 10.2 | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| Marcedes Lewis – JAC | at TB | 9.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 |
| LJ Smith – PHI | at MIN | 9.6 | 4.9 | 4.5 |
| Kyle Brady – NE | vs WAS | 9.6 | 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Matt Schobel – PHI | at MIN | 9.5 | 4.7 | 4.2 |
| Matt Spaeth – PIT | at CIN | 9.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Alex Smith – TB | vs JAC | 9.3 | 5.6 | 5.0 |
| Robert Royal – BUF | at NYJ | 8.7 | 5.6 | 4.3 |
| Justin Peelle – MIA | vs NYG | 8.5 | 5.9 | 4.4 |
| Anthony Becht – TB | vs JAC | 8.5 | 6.0 | 4.5 |
| Jeff King – CAR | vs IND | 8.5 | 6.3 | 4.8 |
| Bo Scaife – TEN | vs OAK | 8.4 | 5.9 | 4.2 |
| George Wrighster – JAC | at TB | 8.3 | 5.8 | 4.1 |
| Dan Campbell – DET | at CHI | 8.1 | 5.8 | 3.9 |
| Ben Utecht – IND | at CAR | 8.0 | 5.8 | 3.8 |
| Reggie Kelly – CIN | vs PIT | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 |
| Jeb Putzier – HOU | at SD | 7.8 | 5.7 | 3.5 |
| Ben Troupe – TEN | vs OAK | 7.0 | 6.5 | 3.6 |
| Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN | vs PHI | 6.8 | 7.0 | 3.8 |
Start:
Heath Miller, PIT (14.6 rating): Consistency has been Miller’s weakness as fantasy tight end his in first two years in the league (due to the system more than to his own play). But that may finally be changing. Miller is on pace to shatter his career highs for catches, yards, and touchdowns in a season. He has three touchdowns in his last two games, and is in a great position to score once again against a weak Cincinnati pass defense.
Sit:
Vernon Davis, SF (11.1 rating): The Duke got back on the field last week and had a decent game, hauling in 4 passes (but for only 22 yards). He may be the Niners’ most explosive receiving threat, but they are having quarterbacking problems. Trent Dilfer has not looked good as the starter. Alex Smith may be returning – but how rusty will he be? It would be best to leave Vernon on the bench if possible.
| Kickers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Adam Vinatieri – IND | at CAR | 14.9 | 2.8 | 7.7 |
| Robbie Gould – CHI | vs DET | 14.1 | 3.4 | 7.6 |
| Lawrence Tynes – NYG | at MIA | 14.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 |
| Phil Dawson – CLE | at STL | 14.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 |
| Jeff Reed – PIT | at CIN | 13.9 | 2.7 | 6.6 |
| Stephen Gostkowski – NE | vs WAS | 13.7 | 3.8 | 7.4 |
| Rob Bironas – TEN | vs OAK | 13.6 | 3.6 | 7.2 |
| Kris Brown – HOU | at SD | 13.2 | 3.8 | 7.0 |
| Jeff Wilkins – STL | vs CLE | 12.9 | 3.6 | 6.5 |
| Nate Kaeding – SD | vs HOU | 12.8 | 3.3 | 6.1 |
| Jason Hanson – DET | at CHI | 12.7 | 4.0 | 6.7 |
| David Akers – PHI | at MIN | 12.5 | 3.8 | 6.3 |
| Mike Nugent – NYJ | vs BUF | 12.4 | 3.9 | 6.2 |
| Jason Elam – DEN | vs GB | 12.3 | 4.0 | 6.4 |
| Shayne Graham – CIN | vs PIT | 12.1 | 4.7 | 6.8 |
| Rian Lindell – BUF | at NYJ | 12.0 | 3.5 | 5.6 |
| Olindo Mare – NO | at SF | 12.0 | 3.8 | 5.8 |
| Mason Crosby – GB | at DEN | 12.0 | 4.6 | 6.5 |
| Matt Bryant – TB | vs JAC | 11.2 | 4.7 | 5.9 |
| John Kasay – CAR | vs IND | 11.2 | 4.9 | 6.1 |
| Shaun Suisham – WAS | at NE | 10.9 | 5.0 | 5.9 |
| Ryan Longwell – MIN | vs PHI | 10.8 | 4.3 | 5.1 |
| Joe Nedney – SF | vs NO | 10.3 | 4.4 | 4.8 |
| John Carney – JAC | at TB | 10.1 | 4.8 | 4.9 |
| Sebastian Janikowski – OAK | at TEN | 10.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Jay Feely – MIA | vs NYG | 9.6 | 5.6 | 5.2 |
Start:
Lawrence Tynes, NYG (14.0 rating): So Lawrence Tynes may not be Adam Vinatieri, but as much as I hate to admit it, the Giants are on quite a roll. Not to mention their opponent this week, the reeling Miami Dolphins, have given up the most points per game in the NFL. Tynes would be a great free agent pick up if your kicker is off this week.
Sit:
Shaun Suisham, WAS (10.9 rating): I think I might have jinxed Swishy when I highlighted him as a “Start” in Week 5. Since that time he has only made one field goal (out of three attempts). Washington’s struggling offense hasn’t helped his numbers. He’s waiver wire material until further notice.
| Team Defense | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| New York Giants | at MIA | 14.9 | 3.1 | 8.0 |
| Tampa Bay | vs JAC | 14.4 | 3.1 | 7.5 |
| New England | vs WAS | 14.1 | 3.7 | 7.7 |
| Tennessee | vs OAK | 13.8 | 3.5 | 7.3 |
| Jacksonville | at TB | 13.3 | 3.9 | 7.2 |
| Minnesota | vs PHI | 12.9 | 4.1 | 7.0 |
| Indianapolis | at CAR | 12.7 | 4.4 | 7.1 |
| Philadelphia | at MIN | 12.7 | 3.9 | 6.6 |
| Buffalo | at NYJ | 12.6 | 3.9 | 6.5 |
| San Diego | vs HOU | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.6 |
| Pittsburgh | at CIN | 12.2 | 5.2 | 7.5 |
| New Orleans | at SF | 12.2 | 3.2 | 5.4 |
| Chicago | vs DET | 11.9 | 5.3 | 7.1 |
| Green Bay | at DEN | 11.7 | 4.5 | 6.1 |
| Denver | vs GB | 11.1 | 5.0 | 6.1 |
| Cleveland | at STL | 11.0 | 3.8 | 4.8 |
| Detroit | at CHI | 10.4 | 4.6 | 4.9 |
| Oakland | at TEN | 10.2 | 4.8 | 5.0 |
| New York Jets | vs BUF | 10.1 | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| San Francisco | vs NO | 10.1 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
| Washington | at NE | 9.4 | 6.9 | 6.3 |
| Houston | at SD | 9.1 | 6.0 | 5.1 |
| Carolina | vs IND | 8.8 | 6.6 | 5.5 |
| Miami | vs NYG | 7.1 | 7.0 | 4.1 |
| St. Louis | vs CLE | 6.9 | 6.3 | 3.2 |
| Cincinnati | vs PIT | 6.8 | 6.8 | 3.6 |
Start:
Tampa Bay (14.4 rating): The Bucs defense has to be looking forward to their game against Jacksonville. With David Garrard out, the Jaguars will be starting Quinn Gray at quarterback. Gray went 9-24 with two interceptions last week against the Colts. If Tampa Bay can slow down the Jaguars rushing attack they should be able to take advantage of Gray’s inexperience. I wonder if the Jaguars wish they had held onto Leftwich now?
Sit:
Chicago (11.9 rating): This is not the Bears defense that we have become accustomed to seeing over the past fews years. Injuries to key players have kept them from being the dominant unit that got Chicago to the Superbowl last season. They can still hold their own, but you may have better options. The Lions could put up some points on Chicago this week in Detroit. Kevin Jones and Calvin Johnson both looked to be over their respective injury problems against the Buccaneers in Week 7, which will only help an already dangerous Detroit offense.
Special thanks to SwiperNoSwiping, treat24, dream_017, latraffic, madaslives911, codered7, and WaCougMBS for their rankings and involvement with this week's article. For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section or listen to The Coach's Voice on Fantasy Cafe Radio.
Questions or comments for Nick? Post them in the Cafe Forums! Want to write for the Cafe? Check out the Cafe's Pencil & Paper section! |

Cafe Home
Fantasy Baseball
Fantasy Basketball
Fantasy Hockey





